Smackdown Countdown 2003: Rob Van Dam

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Mister Monday Night invades the IGN media pages. Watch out!

By Jeremy Dunham

One of IGNPS2's most popular recurring features, the famed Smackdown Countdown, is back! And it's better than ever. A prolonged look at personalities and superstars that fill the gigantic roster of THQ's most popular licensed videogame, the Smackdown Countdown has become one of our favorite daily features and carries on a tradition started way back in 2001.

Two years and several titles later, our latest test subject is the Yuke's-developed WWE Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain -- A incredibly massive and refined revision of the same series that sold millions of units worldwide, HCTP boasts a lineup of nearly 70 professional wrestlers, realistic weight systems, a two-button counter mechanic, and a tug-of-war inspired grappling format. The career mode, match types, and various other aspects of Pain have been refined as well, and when paired with the obvious visual overhaul has helped to produce the most anticipated game of its type in recent memory.

To celebrate the big event, your pals here at IGNPS2 have decided to profile a new wrester every single day until we've finished with the entire lineup. From modern day behemoths like The Rock and Brock Lesnar to the special stars of yesteryear such as Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka, we'll leave no stone unturned in our quest to provide for you the best damn Smackdown coverage on the Internet. Hell, we're aiming for the best Smackdown coverage on the planet!

Our approach is simple. Each and every update, we'll provide our readers with a side-by-side comparison of the real-life wrestler and his videogame doppelganger. In addition to this, we'll also update our media page with brand new screenshots and movies starring that day's particular hero in action. Naturally we'll have other informational tidbits about that wrestler as too like his hometown, career highlights, and so forth. In short, we're helping you get to know your wrestlers better!

But enough setup, let's get on with it already! Sit back, relax, and enjoy as we bring you today's superstar Rob Van Dam!

A former kickboxer and low-budget action star, Rob Van Dam has quickly risen to become one of the most popular and exciting wrestlers in all of the WWE. A staple on the independent scene in the early 90, he was a frequent tag team partner with Chris Candido and travelled the world for New Japan and USWA wrestling. He moved on to the WCW for a short time afterward and starred in cable flicks Bloodmoon and Superfights before finding his calling with the ECW in the late 1990s. Easily that organization's greatest television champion in history, Rob had several legendary match-ups with stars such as Sabu, Axl Rotten, and The Sandman. It was his incredibly bloody feud with Tommy Dreamer, however, that helped define Rob's place in the industry; and before long, there were few grapplers in the ECW who could match Rob's appeal. After all, he held the ECW TV title for almost 2 years without losing!

Since joining the WWE permanently in 2001, Rob has consistently proven his athletic prowess time and time again. A multi-time Intercontinental and Hardcore champion, his feuds with Jeff Hardy and Kane have been some of the more memorable of recent events. His high-flying maneuvers and blatant disregard for his own safety has earned him the respect and admiration of millions of WWE fans; and his ability to switch between a game-face and a humorous one have proven his personal flexibility. Any way you cut it, Rob is the epitome of the complete WWE superstar package -- look for big things from him in the years to come.

Want to see Rob Van Dam in action? Click on the media page below to check out the latest screenshots and movies taken directly from his match with Randy Orton! We'll be back tomorrow with another superstar from the WWE!

Relive the drama like never before in SMACKDOWN! HERE COMES THE PAIN. Create, play and develop your own Superstar through storylines developed exclusively by WWE writers. Track your progress with seasonal stats, earn money to build up Superstar abilities and unlock hidden elements. Featuring enhanced gameplay, new match types and better production values. The most electrifying brand in sports entertainment will ignite the Playstation 2 this holiday season.